Police are set to erect large gates to block streets, introduce armed officers and enforce new airspace restrictions in Harrogate to ensure the safety of spectators during the forthcoming UCI Road World Championships.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's nation-wide push to recruit 20,000 new police officers has officially launched, but senior North Yorkshire Police say it "could be years" before the front-line impacts are seen in the region.

Frustrated shop owners in Harrogate town centre say more must be done after they were confronted today by the sight of beggars sleeping in their doorway and lying in the middle of the street in broad daylight.